Senate Builders and Construction Managers Inc.

Senate Builders and Construction Managers Inc. (SBCM) launched in August 1999 as a means to bring quality experienced contracting to federal government projects. Over the proceeding years Eugene “Gene” McNally and Edward “Ed” T. Bennett built the East Norriton, Penn.-based company into a prominent mid-sized general construction firm managed by a team of individuals possessing at least double-digit years of experience with government contracting. Building on a hands-on approach that includes management’s personal involvement with every contract, SBCM is an OSHA-certified firm that has become a leader in quality construction in the Delaware Valley Region.

“We’re a general contracting company,” says McNally, who still serves as president of SBCM. “We specialize in pre-engineered metal buildings, concrete, carpentry and we are getting into solar energy. We’ve still have a ways to go with that product, but we’re getting there.” McNally and the skilled team at SBCM aren’t afraid of tackling the challenge of new technology. The firm has been at the cutting edge since its inception and has every intention of staying there.

Fully licensed and bonded, offering warranty and insurance for all services provided, SBCM boasts of its ability to provide lower-cost construction in a shorter amount of time than its competitors. To accomplish this, the firm utilizes every bit of experience and knowledge instilled across its diverse staff and upwards of 250 completed government contracts throughout the entire United States. Employees are able to complete a wide variety of projects without having to sub out much of its work.

Services include project management, construction management, design-build and general construction. SBCM offers everything from partial building renovation to complete new building construction, and is an authorized builder and distributor of Varco-Pruden Pre-engineered Metal Buildings, a division of Blue-Scope Steel.

The firm also follows the terms of the “Buy American Act” for every project. All materials are bought from reputable manufacturers that comply with government requirements and are made in America. This ensures that every aspect of the project is not only completed with quality handiwork, but also incorporates quality products.

Augmenting its already sizable in-house abilities, SBCM has a reliable and trusted network of subcontractors for the services it is unable to perform. “We generally sub out electric, HVAC and some masonry work,” says McNally. The firm takes pride in assigning the most experienced person available to help complete a project.

Assisting Those that Defend the Country

SBCM serves some of the most crucial government institutions, including the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, Pennsylvania National Guard, New Jersey National Guard, Veterans Administration, U.S. Coast Guard and GSA, as well as the National Park Service.

One notable project that the firm has completed was the Infantry Squad Battle Course (ISBC) in Annville, Penn. For this project, SBCM constructed five separate objective courses for the sole use, training and support of the Stryker Brigade throughout Pennsylvania. This consisted of seven masonry support buildings, including an ammunition shelter, an operations maintenance building, a storage building, a bleacher building, a latrine building and a mess cover shelter. Each roof was created using a state-of-the-art standing-seam metal roof system. The work completed by SBCM included selective demolition, all cutting and patching, all rough carpentry, project management, minor painting, drywall systems, acoustical ceilings, doors, frames, hardware, aluminum windows and minor electrical.

“Another of our biggest recent projects was construction for an ammunition supply point, where we built underground bunkers for ammunition and artillery,” says McNally, whose company has worked on a number of projects designed to assist with the training of those in the U.S. service working to keep citizens safe. Other work includes an unmanned aerial vehicle training facility, an automated sniper field fire range, as well as a modified record range.

Cost-efficient, Quality Construction Services

McNally has seen an increase in competition over the past few years. As private and residential projects dried up in the wake of the credit crunch that began in 2008, contractors in those areas began turning towards government work. While government spending coming from Washington has brought in a number of projects to keep construction firms afloat, SBCM has seen its workload become threatened. Nevertheless, the firm has over a decade of experience and quality projects to stay ahead of competition as the preferred construction management company in the region.

McNally remains positive, despite the increased competition for construction work. “We’ve worked to overcome these challenges, taking measures like self-performing more of our work,” he says. “We’re always focused on continued business development, and I’m worried about increased competition, but we’re stable right now. I see things getting better soon.”

Part of what keeps McNally and Bennett confident regarding the future of the corporation is faith in SBCM’s well-trained and expert employees. Having such a staff gives the confidence to put forward “Senate’s Service Reassurance” on the company website. In it, the corporation states the follows: “Clientele can be assured of the quality and professionalism of Senate’s personnel and its extensive resources, tailored to the needs of each customer and project. Senate offers a number of customer services, each well respected within the corps of its fellow federal contractors.”

This confidence trickles down to employees and thus imbues every aspect of the operation. Government agencies and contract managers rest assured when they are in the hands of SBCM. Having built an impressive portfolio and client list over the past decade, Senate Builders and Construction Managers Inc. is well positioned to remain a leader in the region for years to come.